Google Takes on Cable With YouTube TV: See How the Streaming Service Stacks Up

With the number of cable subscribers dwindling and people spending less time watching television in a traditional sense, Google hopes its new streaming television service will get you to watch live TV once again.

Its answer? YouTube TV. For just $35 each month, subscribers get access to 47 channels that you can stream anywhere. It includes cloud DVR with unlimited recordings, access to YouTube Red Originals, and on-demand content. Here's what else you should know:

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Not Everybody Has Access Yet

The beauty of streaming television is you can access it practically anywhere, anytime. Unfortunately for now, YouTube TV is only available in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Once you subscribe, the service works anywhere in the States, but if you're in a location where YouTube TV hasn't launched, you won't have access to live local networks. Fortunately, you'll still be able to watch national networks and the shows you recorded, though. Google plans on launching YouTube TV in more cities, but for now, only a select few cities can sign up for service. If you try to sign up in a launched location outside of your home area, Google may revoke your access to YouTube TV.

If you're an international customer, you're out of luck. YouTube TV will likely remain U.S.-only because Google hasn't secured streaming rights in any other countries, which will probably take quite some time.

Around 50 Channels are Included

YouTube TV lets you stream shows, sports, news, and movies on networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and more. You can view a full list of included channels here. Google is expected to add even more channels in the future. In fact, just last month seven more channels were added, including AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, and WE TV.

Your subscription also includes access to YouTube Originals, which are shows and movies previously available only to YouTube Red subscribers. Premium networks like Fox Soccer Plus and Showtime can be added to your account for an additional monthly fee of $11 and $15, respectively.

You're able to share your membership with five other people, whether they're family members, friends, or roommates. However, YouTube limits a single account to just three simultaneous streams. Each person has their own separate login and personal DVR library where they can record as many programs as they want at the same time, without ever running out of storage space. Google keeps your recordings for nine months, and users can stream videos from their library anywhere in the United States.

Streaming Devices are Limited

Most major streaming services are compatible with media streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, NVIDIA SHIELD TV, and Apple TV. With YouTube TV, the app only works on smartphones, tablets, computers, Chromecast, and Airplay. We would have liked to see more streaming boxes supported at launch, but we're sure Google will add support to more devices in the future, especially if they plan to compete with the likes of Hulu, Sony, and Sling TV, which have their own streaming services.

Early Bonuses

Currently, if you sign up for YouTube TV, you get your first month free. If you do continue your subscription, Google will send you a Chromecast after you make your first monthly payment. A Chromecast streams HD content from apps like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO GO, in addition to YouTube TV. It can also mirror the display of your Android smartphone and display content from your Chrome browser to your TV.

YouTube TV has limited ads and in some cases you can fast-forward through them. Although you cannot skip through ads when you watch live TV, you can pause a show and fast-forward through it until you catch up to its live version. If you record a show to your library, you're able to fast-forward through ads. For on demand-programming, YouTube TV doesn't allow you to skip ads.

You Can Cancel Anytime

One of the benefits to streaming TV services over traditional television is that you can cancel your subscription anytime you want. Google doesn't lock you into any contracts, and it won't penalize you with an early termination fee if you decide to cancel. Sign up for YouTube TV here!

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Best Products participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.